To think it’s possible to stay fit and healthy into your 40s and 50s without ailments?

It's not a question of either genes or lifestyle. It's a mixture of both.

BMI is a range. For me, at the top end of the 'normal'/healthy BMI, I am definitely slightly overweight. At the bottom end, I am very slim. BMI is a very blunt instrument trying to capture an entire population of different ages, heights and builds in one chart. What is healthy at 20 is not going to be the same as at 60. Body composition and shape does change with age except in the most extreme of circumstances. So my view would be that a young adult should probably be at the bottom end of the range for their height. By later years, the top end is probably more realistic.

You are overconfident and tempting providence. Also there's an element of 'blaming' the sick. Somewhere deep in a body that is very healthy, there's a tiny cell that misfires or otherwise misbehaves. It could eventually cause cancer or some other disease that's already at work. It isn't anything you did wrong. Nobody knows why yet because if they did fully know why they would have fixed it by now.

I am not saying you shouldn't try to keep your health at the best it can be. But at the end of the day it's just chance. The person in my friendship group who was most serious about doing everything to the letter on health died far to young.

63 and no health issues at all. Dsis is 66 and ditto.

I got fit in my 40’s and I am so pleased that I did.

I am fitter in my 40s than i was in my 20s or 30s. I do strength and flexibility training with gymnastics. I can do chin ups, tumbling, backbends and the splits.
I couldn’t do any of those things even 5 years ago, I couldn’t even touch my toes

@BruFord sorry I’m confused by your reply to my post?

@MrsTerryPratchett no idea, but have wondered too.

@Drawfulofbitz Many health conditions can be managed more effectively now though and certain illnesses are no longer a death sentence.

A friend’s Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer several years ago and everyone assumed that he only had a year or so left. But, he’s been having experimental gene therapy and he’s still here. Same with DH’s colleague (60) who’s had a kidney removed due to tumours. He’s having some type of experimental treatment and is still able to work and live a fulfilling life.

See I've heard this. So why isn't 'normal' BMI set to this place, the now 'slightly overweight' place? Because surely 'normal' BMI should be the place you live the longest.

Or shouldn't it be? Is it just the average BMI?

40s and 50s and tbh 60s and early 70s are young now! As long as you health but I've seen people in their 20s with poor health, not that fault just life....I've lots of patients in their 90s and about ten over 100 who are living life to the full...I kid you not...all in own home and busy active life although all not driving now but friends collecting them...

Aren't we talking about being healthy and leading a good quality of life when older, not necessarily longer. I don't want to live until I am 95 if my knees hurt from being overweight.

I think a lot of it is genes. I'm nearly 60, fat, unfit, but generally healthy as a horse, on no medication. Had a bunch of tests recently that showed no pre-diabates, great blood pressure, healthy heart etc. my problem was caused by a vitamin deficiency, now sorted.

I have many younger friends who are on a load of medications, some with serious multiple conditions.

Our lifestyles are much the same.

Exercise and eat well is the best anyone can do… the rest is pure luck. My parents and in-laws are all late 60’s/early 70’s and fit and healthy. I have been on medication since I was 17 and had one major surgery and fairly regular trips to the doctor. Good health is a lottery if you ask me

I caught a virus about 10 years ago that left me asthmatic. I’ve never smoked, never even tried it but have to use daily inhalers. I’ve got a genetic ear condition that destroyed my balance so I fall a lot.

Health is largely the luck of the draw. HTH.

@nongnangning interesting article. I’ve seen the below before

“It’s also worth noting that skinny people don’t seem to live the longest. Strikingly, overweight people live longer than their underweight, normal and obese peers.”

Obviously anecdotal but the family members I’ve had that lived in good health until their 90s all carried a bit of padding.

I also think people underestimate stress and the physical toll that can take.

I had a very serious syndrome in my mid 20's and am fortunate enough to not have any serious lasting effects. A lot of people have severe lifelong issues.

I have 2 areas I have minor permanent nerve damage, but it does not affect my life at all. I don't think about it.

I did have a 5 night hospital stay for that.

Since then I have been fine for many years.

I do not take any daily medication for anything. I am in my 40's.

There is an element of luck to it. I work with elderly people and whilst life expectancy has increased, much of the reason for this is medication

I don’t think there has been any change in healthy life expectancy for decades.

I am in my 50s and about as fit as I have ever been. I can run a sub 2 hour half marathon (never done a full one, I get bored!). I need to rebuild my cycling fitness as I haven't done much this year, but last year was comfortably riding 50+ miles.
I have never been admitted to hospital, not have I ever had any serious medical problems. Other than HRT, I am not on any medication. My BMI is in the healthy range. Ideally, I would be half a stone lighter, but I like food, and the exercise allows me to eat pretty much what I like.

@Bewareofthisonetoo Taking up a new sport is amazing, isn’t it. I learnt to swim properly 10 years ago and absolutely love it being able to swim long distance now.

There is an element of luck to it. I work with elderly people and whilst life expectancy has increased, much of the reason for this is medication. Staying as fit as you can helps but there is no guarantee. Personally I’d say make the most of life rather than sacrifice things just to live a few years longer.

My best friends uncle was a sportsman who was lean and looked after himself. It didn’t stop him getting Dementia .

Post 75 isn’t great to be honest from what I see.

I'm 41 and the fittest I've ever been. I do lots of weight training and spin twice a week, with some mobility training. I've been training consistently since my early 30s, although was a cardio bunny. Now I focus on strength, which I've been doing for the last 2 years as muscle is so important, particularly when you're getting older.

I'm not on any medication, don't have any health problems (touch wood). I haven't seen a doctor in yonks - except for smear tests and contraceptive pill checks.

I still consider 40s as young 😂. However, I'm still friends with a group from High School and they all appear to be dropping to bits 😱. They all have so many health issues it's scary!

One of my best friends is in her 60s and she has no health problems and she seems pretty fit. We go walking together regularly etc.

@CaveMum thanks, yes went to doctors last week after realising I'd been feeling this way at least a year. They did bloods and discovered I'm anaemic so I've started iron tablets . Going to give it a few weeks and see how I feel. Hrt was discussed, I'm a bit scared tho.

Forgot about magnesium, il order some.

It's easy to believe this when you're young, however it might be like that if you're lucky.

I'm nearly 10 years older than you and not had any ailments or even broken a bone.
My mother is 66 and has nothing except borderline high cholesterol.